I think this might be the most underrated city in Europe! Most people that go to Portugal only hit Lisbon, which is great indeed, but this little gem is only a few hours north. It’s where I began my 100km hike on the Camino de Santiago. I spent about a week here exploring the city, having a ton of amazing food, and taking photos. Even better, the whole place was very inexpensive. It’s a great destination and I could not recommend it more, so definitely split any time you have between Lisbon and here. 🙂

By the River in Porto

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-25 21:10:42
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time8
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

There are all sorts of really cool, old castles in Europe but few of them are as eye-catching as Pena Palace in Sintra, not far from Lisbon. From what I remember this is a Romanticist style completed in the 1850s. It’s a brave move not to let it age/weather like many other structures over there. Without doubt the correct decision.

The Pena Palace of Sintra

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-17 21:08:04
• CameraFC6310
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/640
• Aperture6.3
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.8 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

If you ever make it to Portugal, but sure to go here to visit the Pina Palace. Planning ahead, you can reserve this whole place for a few hours of your own personal photography before the crowds come in. It’s not that touristy of a place anyway, but it is nice to take photos and be calm before all the muggles show up.

The Magical Castle in Sintra

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-17 08:36:15
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/250
• Aperture11
• ISO200
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

A few years ago I decided to walk the Camino with Kevin Kelly and a great group of people. On day one, we assembled here in Portugal right by the bridge that crosses into Spain. We had not even gotten started yet, and then we all decided to take a rest! 🙂 The walk may have had more talking and resting than walking, and that’s okay with me too!

First Day of the Santiago with Kevin Kelly

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2018-09-25 19:20:18
• CameraILCE-7RM3
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/4000
• Aperture4
• ISO500
• Focal Length40.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

This is the first spot we took people during the Portugal workshop in Sintra. We were staying there in the Ritz-Carlton, and it was quite cool because there were many ruins within walking distance. You can see a bit of the old Roman aqueduct there on the top. Obviously, they built a golf course all around it. I decided to get this vantage point with the quad to make the photo a little confusing on purpose.

Over Sintra

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-16 20:08:06
• CameraFC6310
• Camera MakeDJI
• Exposure Time1/100
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length8.8 mm
• FlashNo flash function
• Exposure ProgramProgram AE
• Exposure Bias

Here’s awesome Rene doing his thing. Whenever he’s near water, most of his clothes come off and he becomes this amphibian kinda guy. This reminds me of a story he told me where he was trying to be cool on some rocks around a girl and then he stepped on a sea urchin and screamed, falling into the ocean.

Rene in Lisbon

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-20 14:21:50
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture4
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

The Pena Palace is a must-visit if you ever visit Portugal. It’s an absolutely amazing place and you can actually reserve the whole place to yourself ahead of time if you want to take photos. It’s pretty inexpensive and you’ll be able to spend plenty of time getting all the photos you want. Even better, they are totally cool with drones to get some unique shots.

The Castle in Sintra

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-17 08:10:32
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/125
• Aperture11
• ISO200
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

We went to a cool beach area near Lisbon and had a fabulous lunch before beginning the whole European tour. Just off the coast were these three boats, perfectly spaced with some dramatic lighting. At this time, I was still getting used to using the Hasselblad and this is one of my favorites!

Off the coast of Portugal

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-19 18:27:19
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture5.6
• ISO100
• Focal Length90.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

We headed out here on the very first morning of my Portugal photo workshop. I don’t know why I planned a workshop right before the huge European tour, but I sure did! Sometimes I overschedule myself like that a bit… but, looking back at all these cool photos, now I’m okay with it! Also, I’ve always been a sucker for aqueducts!

Morning under the aqueduct in Portugal

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-16 07:34:05
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1/15
• Aperture22
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias